Rail vehicle

ABSTRACT

A rail vehicle is particularly advantageous with respect to the installation and the operation of devices or built-in components. The rail vehicle has at least one device carrier, which is arranged in the region of the center of the transverse axis of the rail vehicle between the carriage body roof and the interior paneling of the ceiling of the rail vehicle.

Modern rail vehicles represent a challenge in terms of suitable installation spaces for appliance installation technology. For example, rail vehicles normally have an increasing number of, in particular, electrical and/or electronic appliances and built-in components. The reason for this is, inter alia, extensions to functions for example the provision of Internet or WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), seat reservation systems, electronic advertising displays, video monitoring systems or else, for example, monitoring systems for electrical pickups or bogies. Furthermore, it is necessary to remember that, because of the comparatively long life of rail vehicles, spare installation spaces are also desirable for functionalities which have to be provided only during the course of the later life of the train and possibly may not be developed at all until after the rail vehicle has been introduced to service.

The present invention is based on the object of specifying a rail vehicle which is particularly advantageous in terms of the installation and the operation of appliances and/or built-in components.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a rail vehicle having at least one appliance mount which is arranged in the area of the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling of the rail vehicle.

The rail vehicle according to the invention is distinguished in that, in the center area, that is to say in the area of the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle, it has at least one appliance mount which is arranged between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling. This means that the spatial area which is covered by the at least one appliance mount surrounds the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle; furthermore, the appliance mount generally extends into areas on both sides of the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle. However, there is no need in this case for exactly central alignment of the at least one appliance mount with respect to the lateral axis of the rail vehicle, such that a center axis of the at least one appliance mount coincides with the center of the lateral axis of the appliance mount. However, a central alignment such as this of the at least one appliance mount may be advantageous for symmetry reasons.

For the purposes of the invention, an appliance mount is a component which is intended to accommodate at least one appliance. An appliance mount is therefore a holding apparatus, for example in the form of a so-called rack by means of which—if accommodation of a plurality of appliances is intended—a plurality of appliances can be combined to form a unit. Corresponding appliance mounts are frequently also referred to in practice as (appliance) stands, (appliance) frames, (appliance) racks or (appliance) containers. In particular, electrical and/or electronic appliances are normally provided in appliance mounts.

For the purposes of the present invention, the rail vehicle may be a rail vehicle of any desired type, in particular for passenger transport, for example in the form of a local train, long distance train or a tram. In this case, the rail vehicle may consist of one or more cars.

The provision of the at least one appliance mount in the installation space between the roof of the car body and the internal cladding on the ceiling offers the advantage that because of its approximately rectangular geometry, in particular in comparison to the coving areas, this installation area is particularly highly suitable for the installation of relatively large, for example cubic, electrical and/or electronic appliances, which are frequently designed for 19-inch rack installation. Furthermore, the available installation space length is large, particularly in a central car of a rail vehicle. For example, an air-conditioning system may normally be provided only in the vehicle or car center, seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in the spatial area in existing vehicles which is used, according to the invention, for the at least one appliance mount. Furthermore, the available installation space between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling of the rail vehicle may also optionally be occupied or interrupted by physical space which is required in conjunction with an electrical pickup. However, independently of this, there is normally sufficient available space in the area between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling to allow the at least one appliance mount to be accommodated.

The installation of the at least one appliance mount in the roof area in many cases furthermore also has an advantageous effect on the required cable feeds to appliances which are provided in the appliance mount or in the appliance mounts. By way of example, this relates in particular to the wiring for train radio antennas, which are arranged in the area of the vehicle roof, with appliances in the form of radios or train protection systems, or else to the wiring for passenger information displays, which are arranged in the area of the ceiling of the rail vehicle, or to video cameras with appliances in the form of the associated central appliances. The comparatively short line or cable length required is particularly advantageous in this case since, on the one hand, this simplifies the electrical wiring, and on the other hand reduces the susceptibility to faults.

The rail vehicle according to the invention is also advantageous in that one or more appliance mounts which is or are arranged between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling of the rail vehicle has or have no adverse effects whatsoever on passenger comfort. This advantageously avoids restrictions to passenger seating or passenger standing areas, such as those which could result from appliance cabinets or appliance containers in the passenger areas, for example. The rail vehicle according to the invention therefore also allows a high or maximum number of passengers. Furthermore, this results in a very high level of flexibility for car seating, since there are no restrictions resulting from appliance cabinets or under-seat boxes. Furthermore, this also allows broad car corridors since, for example, there are no appliance cabinets to restrict the corridor width at the vehicle ends. This may also result in better visual conditions and freer escape routes between different cars in a rail vehicle.

The use of the physical space between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling of the rail vehicle in the area of the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle furthermore also offers the advantage that a large installation volume is provided for appliances, thus allowing functional extensions for, for example, new vehicle technologies or additional passenger comfort.

Furthermore, because of the comparatively inconspicuous installation of the at least one appliance mount in the internal ceiling of the rail vehicle, it is also feasible to reduce or to preclude damage to the appliance mount and to appliances arranged in the at least one appliance mount caused by vandalism, in comparison to the use of appliance cabinets and under-seat containers in the passenger area.

Since at least a large proportion of the required appliances for the rail vehicle can be arranged in the area of the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling of the rail vehicle, this furthermore allows driver's cab cabinets with small dimensions, thus resulting in further advantages for the development and operation of rail vehicles.

Preferably, the rail vehicle according to the invention has been developed such that a plurality of appliance mounts are arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle, in the area of the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling. This means that a plurality of appliance mounts are installed in the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle, that is to say in the vehicle or car longitudinal direction, in the central area of the rail vehicle between the car body roof and the internal cladding. This makes it possible to use the area in the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling to accommodate appliance mounts over a part or a large proportion of the length of the rail vehicle. In this case, the appliance mounts can preferably be matched flexibly and at low cost to the respective requirements, as so-called “goods by the meter”.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention, at least one maintenance hatch is provided for the appliance mount or for at least one of the appliance mounts. This offers the advantage of good accessibility to the appliance mount or to the appliance mounts, as well as to the appliances provided there. The maintenance hatch is in this case preferably designed such that it can be opened downward, that is to say in the direction of the internal area or passenger area of the rail vehicle.

The rail vehicle according to the invention can preferably also be designed such that the maintenance hatch or at least one of the maintenance hatches is in the form of at least one element of the internal cladding on the ceiling. This means that the maintenance hatches of the appliance mounts are preferably an integral component of the car body internal structure in the ceiling area. In this case, it is possible to continue the center ceiling structure in those areas in which no appliance mounts have been installed, by means of simple ceiling elements which simulate the maintenance hatches of the appliance mounts. Since the maintenance hatches of the appliance mounts are advantageously located in the air-conditioned passenger area, comparatively cool air is applied to the maintenance hatches, thus resulting in advantages with respect to the heat extraction or cooling of the appliance mounts during operation of the appliances which are arranged therein.

According to one particularly preferred development, the rail vehicle according to the invention is designed such that at least one additional functional element is provided on the inside and/or the outside of the maintenance hatch or of at least one of the maintenance hatches. This is advantageous since this makes it possible to configure the maintenance hatches as multifunctional components. In this case, care should be taken to ensure that good accessibility is provided both to the inside and to the outside of the maintenance hatch.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention, the at least one additional functional element is in the form of a switching element, lighting element, loudspeaker or video camera. For example, a switching element in the form of a resettable circuit breaker can be provided on the inside of the maintenance hatch. By way of example, a lighting element in the form of LEDs for car lighting, a loudspeaker for passenger announcements or a video camera can be installed on or in the outside of the maintenance hatch. As an alternative to this, the at least one additional functional element may also be in the form of any other electrical or electronic component, or else a mechanical or pneumatic component.

The rail vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed such that at least one air-conditioning duct of an air-conditioning system of the rail vehicle is provided in each case on both sides of the appliance mount or on both sides of at least one of the appliance mounts. This is advantageous because the car ventilation can be optimized by moving and splitting air-conditioning and/or ventilation ducts, which normally run centrally in a vehicle, such that in each case at least one air-conditioning duct of the air-conditioning system of the rail vehicle is provided on both sides along the appliance mount or the appliance mounts. For example, passengers who are standing in the center passageway of the carriage are advantageously not directly subjected to the ventilation flow. Furthermore, the air-conditioning ducts, and therefore the car air-conditioning, are not adversely affected by the installation of the at least one appliance mount in the internal ceiling, that is to say in the area of the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle, between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling of the rail vehicle. In this case, the open passageways between cars are advantageously also provided with an air-conditioned room climate. Furthermore, because of the fact that the air-conditioning ducts and therefore also the cold air flows run directly along both sides of the appliance mounts, any additional measures which may be required for cooling the appliances in the appliance mounts can be implemented in a particularly simple manner. In this case, heat extraction or cooling can be provided, for example, on the basis of the heat-exchanger principle, by an air bypass, by partial heat sinks in the cold-air duct and/or by heat pipes.

Preferably, the rail vehicle according to the invention is designed such that the appliance mount or at least one of the appliance mounts is open toward the car body roof. This means that the upper closure of the appliance mount is advantageously formed by the inside of the car body roof. Since, for example, the car body roof may be composed of aluminum, an appliance mount which is open toward the car body roof advantageously normally complies with existing fire protection requirements as well as Ingress Protection Class IP54. In a manner dependent on the respective circumstances and requirements, it is, however, also feasible for the appliance mount to be closed at the top, that is to say toward the car body roof, for example by means of sheet-metal cladding.

According to a further particularly preferred refinement of the rail vehicle according to the invention, at least one cable duct is arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle between the at least one appliance mount and the car body roof. In this case, the cable duct is preferably in the form of a grid structure. Particularly for the situation in which the at least one appliance mount is open toward the car body roof, this results in the advantage of particularly simple connection of the respective cables to the appliance mounts, or to the appliances on the appliance mount. For example, it is possible to directly feed the lines or cables, which have been prefabricated with plugs or other connecting elements, directly from the cable duct located above to the appropriate appliances. As an alternative to this, it is also feasible for lines to be fed from the cable duct to central plug arrays or connecting terminal arrays. Independently of this, the at least one appliance mount can be grounded via the respective mechanical attachments to the car body, that is to say for example C rails, as a result of which there is advantageously no need for any additional grounding lines. Within the cable duct, the cables can be separated in accordance with the respective line category, for example allowing cables in line categories A2, B and C to be routed separately. In this case, additional shielding for example in the form of a sheet-metal duct can be provided for line category C cables.

The rail vehicle according to the invention is preferably distinguished in that the at least one cable duct can be folded such that cables can be introduced from the side into the cable duct. In principle, the cables can be installed or laid such that prefabricated cable or line harnesses are fastened in the cable duct or grid duct, with the cable duct then being fitted on both sides to the roof C rails. However, if the cable duct can be folded or pivoted, for example by means of simple hinges, such that cables can be installed from the side in the folded-out or pivoted-out state, this advantageously allows cables and the cable duct to be fitted particularly easily and quickly. Furthermore, this also considerably simplifies subsequent laying of lines in the cable duct.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention, the alignment of the at least one appliance mount can be adjusted with respect to the internal cladding on the ceiling. An appropriate adjustment capability is in this case preferably provided in all spatial directions. This allows simple compensation for car body structural tolerances. In this case, by way of example, tolerances can be compensated for by means of inserted shims or continuously variable mechanical adjusting elements.

Preferably, the rail vehicle according to the invention can also be distinguished in that electrical, electronic, mechanical and/or pneumatic appliances are provided in the appliance mount or in at least one of the appliance mounts. The rail vehicle according to the invention is admittedly advantageous in particular for electrical and/or electronic appliances which can be arranged in the appliance mount in the area of the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling of the rail vehicle; furthermore, however, a corresponding appliance mount can also advantageously accommodate mechanical appliances, for example in the form of emergency appliances or pneumatic appliances and/or components for example of control systems for electrical pickup monitoring, for bogie monitoring or for power consumption metering. This advantageously avoids the need to provide separate appliance cabinets for the relevant components.

According to a further particularly preferred development, the rail vehicle according to the invention is designed such that at least one electronic component of at least one train protection system is provided in the appliance mount or in at least one of the appliance mounts. This is advantageous since separate appliance cabinets have normally been provided until now in particular for train protection components, for example for the standard European Train Control System (ETCS). Furthermore, the intended installation location for the appliance mounts advantageously also offers sufficient space to accommodate not only the normally comparatively large ETCS appliances which are designed, for example, for 19-inch rack fittings, but also appliances for nation-specific train protection systems and/or train radio systems. Furthermore, the installation in the roof area of the rail vehicle is also particularly advantageous for appliances such as these, in terms of short line lengths for the cable feed from the train antennas to the radios, that is to say the appliances of the train protection system or the train protection systems and mobile radio systems.

The invention will be explained in more detail in the following text with reference to exemplary embodiments. In this case:

FIG. 1 shows a first view of a first exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a second view of the first exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a third view of the first exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 4 shows a fourth view of the first exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 5 shows a view of a secondary exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 6 shows a view, in the form of a schematic illustration, of a third exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 7 shows a detail of a view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention,

FIG. 8 shows a detail of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention, in the form of a cable duct which can pivot, and

FIG. 9 shows one exemplary embodiment of an appliance mount which can be used in a rail vehicle according to the invention.

For clarity reasons, the same reference symbols are used in the figures for components which are the same and for components which essentially have the same effect.

FIG. 1 shows a first view of a first exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention. The illustration shows a rail vehicle 1 for passenger transport having an appliance mount 20 in which electrical and/or electronic appliances 30 are arranged. The appliance mount 20 is arranged in the area of the center of the lateral axis 50 of the rail vehicle 1 between the car body roof 10 and the internal cladding 40 on the ceiling of the rail vehicle 1.

The appliance mount 20 has a maintenance hatch 60 which is shown both in the closed state and in the open state in FIG. 1, in order to illustrate the method of operation. In this case, the maintenance hatch 60 of the appliance mount 20 is advantageously in the form of an element of the internal cladding 40 of the roof of the rail vehicle 1. This means that the appliance mount 20 with its maintenance hatch 60 is advantageously an integral component of the internal cladding 40 on the ceiling of the rail vehicle 1.

Corresponding to the illustration in FIG. 1, air-conditioning ducts 70 of an air-conditioning system for the rail vehicle 1 are provided on both sides of the appliance mount 20. In this case, the air-conditioning ducts 70 are designed such that cold air is in each case transported in the air-conditioning ducts which face the appliance mount 20 and ventilation slots 80, and hot air is in each case transported in the other, upper air-conditioning ducts. This results in the advantage that heat extraction and cooling are provided to a certain extent for the appliances 30 on the appliance mount 20 even without any further measures.

The appliance mount 20 is open toward the car body roof 10. A cable duct 90 with cables 95 is provided above the appliance mount 20, that is to say between the appliance mount 20 and the car body roof 10, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle 1. This is advantageous since this allows the lines or cables 95 to be fed in a particularly simple manner from the cable duct 90 to the appliances 30 on the appliance mount 20.

The maintenance hatch 60 of the appliance mount 20 can be folded out or pivoted downward through 90°, as shown in the illustration in FIG. 1. Furthermore, in order to improve the accessibility to the appliances 30 while the rail vehicle 1 is being brought into service or maintained, the maintenance hatch 60 can also advantageously be disconnected. As an alternative to this, it would also be feasible for it to be possible to disconnect the maintenance hatch 60 exclusively, but not to fold it out. A mechanical hook securing means which bounds the opening of the maintenance hatch 60 can be provided for security against inadvertent opening of the hatch, for example in the event of an accident, which could lead to a hazard to passengers standing in the area underneath the maintenance hatch 60.

The painted maintenance hatch 60, which is matched to the interior design, at the same time represents an element of the internal cladding 40 of the ceiling. In this context, it should be noted that the extent of the maintenance hatch 60, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle 1, does not necessarily need to match the corresponding size or length of the appliance mount 20. For example, it is possible for the size or length of the maintenance hatch 60 to be based on the size or length of the ceiling modules of the internal structure.

Ingress Protection Class IP54 and the required fire protection safety are advantageously ensured by a rubber seal in the maintenance hatch 60 and by the appliance mount 20 as well as the maintenance hatch 60 being formed from steel or aluminum. The maintenance hatch 60 can, for example, be attached to the appliance mount 20 by quick-release closure elements and hinges. Controlled opening and closing of the maintenance hatch 60 can be ensured, if required, for example by means of damping elements or by a motor drive.

FIG. 2 shows a second view of the first exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention. This shows a view looking in the direction obliquely downward to the ceiling of the interior of the rail vehicle. This figure shows a plurality of appliance mounts 20 in which various electrical and/or electronic appliances 30 are arranged. The appliance mounts 20 are each shown as being open at the bottom, with the maintenance hatch 60 hanging down on one side of two of the appliance mounts 20. As shown in the illustration in FIG. 2, the appliance mounts 20 are arranged one behind the other in the area of the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle 1, between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle 1. In this case, the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle is annotated with the reference symbol 100 in FIG. 2.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, additional functional elements 110 are provided on the inside of the maintenance hatch 60 which is arranged further to the left. Corresponding additional functional elements 110 may, for example, comprise switching elements, lighting elements, loudspeakers or video cameras, and may be arranged either on the inside or else on the outside of the maintenance hatch 60, depending on the respective requirements and circumstances. Easy accessibility and, in the case of the inside, protection against access by unauthorized persons at the same time, are particularly advantageous in this case.

FIG. 2 also once again shows air-conditioning ducts 70 as well as ventilation slots 80 toward the passenger interior being provided on both sides of the appliance mounts 20. Furthermore, the figure also shows the cable duct 90 with the cables 95.

FIG. 3 shows a third view of the first exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention. FIG. 3 as well once again shows an illustration obliquely from underneath upward toward the ceiling of the rail vehicle 1, but also shows at least part of the car body of the rail vehicle 1.

FIG. 3 once again shows appliance mounts 20 in which appliances 30 are arranged. The appliance mounts 20 are arranged between the car body roof and the internal cladding 40 on the ceiling. Once again, FIG. 3 shows open maintenance hatches 60 of the appliance mount 20. Air-conditioning ducts 70 once again run above the ventilation slots 80. As can be seen in FIG. 3, electrical cables 95, which are arranged in a cable duct 90, run above the appliance mounts 20. This means that the cable duct 90 is arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle 1 between the appliance mounts 20 and the car body roof of the rail vehicle. This allows the appliances 30 to be wired up particularly easily, as is indicated by way of example in FIG. 3 by appliance cables 97 which are passed out of the cable duct 90 to plugs 96 in the appliance 30, which is shown second from the top.

In addition to the roof, which is not shown in FIG. 3, the car body 5 of the rail vehicle has further elements which are known per se, such as windows 6.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth view of the first exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention. In contrast to the above illustrations, all but one of the maintenance hatches 60 in this case are closed. This clearly shows that the appliance mounts 20 merge seamlessly into the design of the internal cladding on the ceiling of the rail vehicle 1, by means of their maintenance hatches 60.

FIG. 5 shows a view of a second exemplary embodiment of a rail vehicle according to the invention. The appliances 30, which are shown in FIG. 5, in the appliance mounts 20 may, for example, be components of a train protection system, for example ETCS. The physical space between the car body roof and the internal cladding on the ceiling of the rail vehicle is particularly highly suitable in particular for such normally comparatively large components which, for example, are of 19-inch design, because of the approximately cubic shape of this space. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the electrical supply for the appliances 30 is provided by means of a plug connection array 120, in which plugs 125 and cable bushings with cable glands 126 are provided. The central plug connecting array 120 makes it possible to separate the appliance mounts 20 from the cable duct 90, which runs above the appliance mounts 20, for example for electromagnetic compatibility or shielding reasons, by means of an upper wall 440 in each case.

Furthermore, FIG. 5 shows a circulation fan 130 in addition to the components already described above.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention. The illustration shows a schematic plan view of a rail vehicle 1. In this case, cables of different line categories 95 a, 95 b, 95 c are laid along the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle 1. For the purposes of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, it should be assumed in this case that an air-conditioning system 140 is provided in the ceiling area in the area of the center of the rail vehicle 1, along whose side the cables are routed by means of a cable duct 190, which is in the form of a grid.

Seen in the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle 1, appliance mounts are each provided in front of and behind the air-conditioning system 140 and are concealed by the cables or the cable ducts 95 a, 95 b, 95 c, over which appliance mounts the respective cables and cable runs 95 a, 95 b, 95 c run. This offers the advantage that the cables run in the immediate vicinity of the appliances which are arranged in the appliance mounts.

The car wiring and wiring in the inner ceiling area may, for example, be implemented in such a way that the car cables are routed in the coving area on both sides along the air-conditioning system 140, which is fitted in the car center, to the car junctions.

According to a first embodiment, only those lines which are required for appliances within the appliance mounts are in this case routed at the ends of the air-conditioning system 140—and possibly also at the car or vehicle ends—from outside to the center into the cable duct or cable ducts which is or are arranged above the appliance mounts.

According to a second embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 6, all of the cables or lines can also be routed at the ends of the air-conditioning system 140 from the outside to the center into the cable duct which is arranged above the appliance mount. In comparison to the first embodiment, this offers the advantage that this saves additional outer cable ducts between the air-conditioning system 140 and the car junctions. Whether the second embodiment is practicable depends, however, on the respective circumstances in the individual case, that is to say for example on the number of lines which the cable duct above the appliance mounts can accommodate.

For the purposes of the second embodiment, the lines which are not required for wiring of the appliances in the appliance mounts can be continued further, as shown in the illustration in FIG. 6, for example by means of cables 160 to adjacent rail vehicles or cars.

In addition to the cables 95 a, 95 b, 95 c which run in the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle 1, FIG. 6 also shows cables 150 which run vertically.

FIG. 7 shows a detail of a view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention. The illustration shows a cross section through an appliance mount 20, which is arranged underneath the car body roof 10 of a rail vehicle. In this case, insulation 200 is located between the appliance mount 20 and the car body 10, and a cable duct 90 is provided below this insulation 200.

The appliance mount 20 has a maintenance hatch 60 which can be folded (out) via a hinge 220 and is illustrated in FIG. 7 both in the closed state and in the open state. The maintenance hatch 60 can be closed by means of a closure 230.

As shown in the illustration in FIG. 7, the appliance mount 20 is attached to two C rails, which run along the roof area, with inserted sliding blocks 240. In this case, the number of attachment points depends on the weight of the appliance mount 20 and on the mechanical loads, that is to say the load situations which occur. The appliance mount 20 is sealed with respect to the car body roof, preferably in accordance with Ingress Protection Class IP54, by means of seals 210 which are provided at the top on the side part ends. The sealing at this interface can be optimized by an additional rib 260.

The appliance mount 20 is preferably adjustable in all directions in order to compensate for car body structural tolerances with respect to the internal ceiling cladding, that is to say in particular with respect to the maintenance hatch 60. This is shown by way of example in FIG. 7 by an adjusting direction 250 for height tolerance compensation.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the rail vehicle according to the invention in the form of a cable duct which can pivot. The figure shows a cable duct 90 in which a plurality of cables 95 or cable runs, preferably each of cables of different categories are laid. In order to allow the rail vehicle to be wired up as easily as possible, the cable duct 90 can be pivoted or folded by means of a hinge 300 such that cables can be introduced from the side in the pivoted-out state. In order to illustrate the method of operation, FIG. 8 shows the cable duct 90 both in the closed horizontal state and in the open state, hanging vertically downward. The cable duct 90 can be closed by means of a fastener 310.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of an appliance mount which can be used in a rail vehicle according to the invention. The appliance mount 20 is of the container type, consisting of U-frames 400, side walls 410 and an end wall 415. If necessary, the appliance mount 20, which could also be referred to because of its function as an internal ceiling container, may have sheet-metal stiffening elements 420.

When a plurality of appliance mounts 20 are arranged flush, that is to say “abutting”, in a rail vehicle, preferably provided with an intermediate seal, it is possible to partially or completely dispense with end walls for the appliance mounts 20.

For fire protection reasons, the appliance mount 20 has a smoke-proof cable bushing 430 which, for example, can be produced by means of expanded foam around the cables laid there.

The appliance mount 20 is preferably fitted into a rail vehicle such that its side walls 410 run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle. The appliances may be installed in the appliance mount 20 with the appliances oriented in different ways with respect to the appliance mount 20, depending on the respective requirements and circumstances.

It should be noted that, in principle, the appliance mount 20 can also be embodied entirely or partially without side walls 410. This also applies to the end wall 415 or the end walls 415 of the appliance mount 20, as a result of which the appliance mount 20 may, if required, be closed toward the interior of the rail vehicle only by a maintenance hatch, in the installed state. As an alternative to this, ventilation cutouts can also be provided in the side walls 410 and/or the end walls 415. In both cases, it is generally a precondition for this purpose that appliances which may be arranged in the respective appliance mount 20 and in the form of electrical and/or electronic components comply with already existing requirements relating to fire protection and EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility). Corresponding open configuration of the appliance mount 20 offers the advantage that this results in better ventilation in the roof free space between the car body roof and the ceiling of the rail vehicle, and better accessibility to the appliance mount 20 and to the appliances arranged in it.

In a corresponding manner to the exemplary embodiments described above, the rail vehicle according to the invention has considerable practical advantages both with respect to the installation of, in particular electrical and electronic, appliances and with respect to the operation of the rail vehicle, and of the appliances. 

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A rail vehicle, comprising: a car body roof; a ceiling; internal cladding disposed on said ceiling; and at least one appliance mount disposed in an area of a center of a lateral axis of the rail vehicle between said car body roof and said internal cladding on said ceiling.
 15. The rail vehicle according to claim 14, wherein said al least one appliance mount is one of a plurality of appliance mounts disposed one behind the other in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle, in an area of the center of the lateral axis of the rail vehicle between said car body roof and said internal cladding on said ceiling.
 16. The rail vehicle according to claim 15, further comprising at least one maintenance hatch provided for at least one of said appliance mounts.
 17. The rail vehicle according to claim 16, wherein said maintenance hatch is in a form of at least one element of said internal cladding on said ceiling.
 18. The rail vehicle according to claim 16, further comprising at least one additional functional element disposed on at least one of an inside or an outside of said maintenance hatch.
 19. The rail vehicle according to claim 18, wherein said at least one additional functional element is selected from the group consisting of a switching element, a lighting element, a loudspeaker and a video camera.
 20. The rail vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising at least one air-conditioning duct of an air-conditioning system disposed in each case on both sides of said appliance mount.
 21. The rail vehicle according to claim 14, wherein said appliance mount is open toward said car body roof.
 22. The rail vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising at least one cable duct disposed in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle between said at least one appliance mount and said car body roof.
 23. The rail vehicle according to claim 22, wherein said at least one cable duct can be folded such that cables can be introduced from a side into said cable duct.
 24. The rail vehicle according to claim 14, wherein an alignment of said at least one appliance mount can be adjusted with respect to said internal cladding on said ceiling.
 25. The rail vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising appliances selected from the group consisting of electrical appliances, electronic appliances, mechanical appliances and pneumatic appliances, said appliances disposed in said appliance mount.
 26. The rail vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising at least one electronic component of at least one train protection system disposed in said appliance mount. 